Reflection Blog

Electronic Communication is coming to an end tommorrow, so it's time to sit and reflect about what I have learned about CMC.

Over all, I learned the basic definition of Computer Mediated Communication. I had no idea what this term meant at the begining of the semester. All I knew was that I would be blogging a lot in this class...and I did. From learning about CMC, I was able to evaluate myself and my bahavior with CMC. I use CMC, and that's a fact. I enjoy text messaging, emailing, iming, and facebooking.

But thanks to this class, I now realize that I am using CMC. Because I started realizing, now I focus on cutting back. When I am in the midst of a text message I frequently think to myself, "This would be a whole lot easier if I just called this person right now." So, sometimes I call now.

I have also focused on my time spent on facebook. I rarely "creep" on facebook anymore, besides looking at pictures on Sundays from the previous nights rendezvous. But, I do notice that I have been on facebook a little more than often lately due to finals week.

But, everything must come to an end. So I guess it's goodbye blog...and believe me when I say, I will not miss you.

Social Communities and The Business Realm

As the semester is coming to an end, we are all busy with project, papers, presentations and the dreaded finals. So, for this weeks blog, I decided to integrate two of my classes. One, obviously being electronic communication, and the other, marketing. Let me begin by saying that marketing is by FAR my least favorite class of the semester. I don’t know what I was thinking taking it. I decided to see how online communities affected the business world, and surprising, they have a negative effect of businesses.

An article found in the Wall Street Journal, “Why Most Online Communities Fail,” was published this summer on July 16. This title was shocking to read because I have been so use to hearing about how great online communities are this entire semester. So how is an online community not an effective strategy for businesses? The main problem: Businesses are focusing on the value an online community can provide to themselves, not the community. Surprise, surprise, a business is not worried about the community but more worried about themselves? Well that’s a shocker…

Basically, business with online communities don’t know what they are doing when it comes to these communities. Some businesses spent over 6 million dollars on an online community, but about 30 % of the businesses have only one part-time (part-time!!) worker in charge of the community. The other 70% of businesses put a single marketing pro in charge of their sites. A.K.A. someone who doesn’t know anything about online communities.

So maybe online communities should just stick to a social spectrum and businesses should stay away from the online communities.

Social Communities and The Business Realm

As the semester is coming to an end, we are all busy with project, papers, presentations and the dreaded finals. So, for this weeks blog, I decided to integrate two of my classes. One, obviously being electronic communication, and the other, marketing. Let me begin by saying that marketing is by FAR my least favorite class of the semester. I don’t know what I was thinking taking it. I decided to see how online communities affected the business world, and surprising, they have a negative effect of businesses.

An article found in the Wall Street Journal, “Why Most Online Communities Fail,” was published this summer on July 16. This title was shocking to read because I have been so use to hearing about how great online communities are this entire semester. So how is an online community not an effective strategy for businesses? The main problem: Businesses are focusing on the value an online community can provide to themselves, not the community. Surprise, surprise, a business is not worried about the community but more worried about themselves? Well that’s a shocker…

Basically, business with online communities don’t know what they are doing when it comes to these communities. Some businesses spent over 6 million dollars on an online community, but about 30 % of the businesses have only one part-time (part-time!!) worker in charge of the community. The other 70% of businesses put a single marketing pro in charge of their sites. A.K.A. someone who doesn’t know anything about online communities.

So maybe online communities should just stick to a social spectrum and businesses should stay away from the online communities.

The First Puppy

Who doesn’t love a cute and cuddly puppy? I know I do! I really love cats, but who can resist tiny puppy? I have my dog, Molly, a black shiz tzu, who is possibly as dumb as a rock, but I still love her unconditionally. My roommate has a dog that she talks about it as if it is her sister…seriously, ask any of my friends. I think everyone has a little part of their heart that just can’t resist dogs. Well, I think a lot of us know, and most of the country, that Barack Obama loves dogs too!

Obama promised his little girls a puppy to have in the White House. Of course, as soon as he said this, the entire part of the country that is for animal rights jumped all over this. They began texting, emailing, blogging, and Twittering that the presidential pup must be from a rescue shelter. If you don’t know what puppy mills are or what happens in them, I dare you to google them. I don’t think I am brave enough to even do that.

But, we have some hope from Obama’s endorsement for the Human Society Legislative Fund (see posted picture!) Obama certainly knows how mend the bi-partisan divide by bringing everyone together ogle over a little helpless one legged dog. But on a more serious note, Obama campaigned to stop puppy mills, and we can hope that he carries this campaign with him to the White House.

So what does all of this have to do with CMC? Animal activists are using all forms of CMC to get to the President-elect about this issue. Obama who has been labeled as the Internet President, must take notice of this upraise and concern about the poor treatment of dogs in puppy mills. So lets hope that Obama makes this “change” for innocent puppies!

FAD

Due to recent class discussions, I am focusing this blog on facebook addiction. I wasn’t in either of the first three groups, so I figured some more research would be beneficial. I stumbled upon a blog titled the ‘Marketing & Strategy Innovation Blog.’ I believe this is a professional blog, but I am not completely certain.

The blog title, "“Are you suffering from Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD)?”" A main section of the blog is based around steps that lead to facebook addiction, and according to the authors, a person must have 2 or 3 of the criteria below for diagnosis.

1/. The first thing is tolerance. This refers to the need for increasing amounts of time on Facebook to achieve satisfaction and/or significantly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of time. They often have multiple Facebook windows opened at any one time. 3 is usually a sign and over 5 you're helpless. 2/. After reduction of Facebook use or cessation, it causes distress or impairs social, personal or occupational functioning such as wondering why your Vista is so fast and improved etc. These include anxiety; obsessive thinking about what is written on your wall on Facebook etc. 3/. Important social or recreational activities are greatly reduced and or migrated to Facebook. Instead of sending an email you post a message on your friend’s page about canceling a lunch appointment. You now stop answering your phone call from your Mom and insist she should contact you through Facebook chat. 4/ This is getting serious if you start kissing your girlfriend's home page or a VRML virtual walk through a park is your idea of a date.5/ Your bookmark takes 20 minutes just to scroll from top to bottom or 8 of 10 people in your friend's list you have no idea of who they are. 6/ When you meet people you start introducing yourself by following "see you in Facebook" or your dog has its own Facebook profile. You invite anyone you've met and any notifications, messages and invites reward you with an unpredictable high, much like gambling.

I know that we have discussed a lot about facebook addictions and such, but it never ceases to amaze me when a new topic is discussed about addiction. I also find it humorous that it is called social networking, but when the addiction is serious, a person becomes completely anti-social.

But, the author of this blog makes a positive statement about facebook addiction. “Call it Facebook addiction or fetish, I see this as progress of enlightenment for the modern life…The people's need to connect, along with the growth of social connectivity, would raise the quality of the social whole to a new and higher level.The organic composition of our social networks is growing. That determines networks as means of finding self-identities and not only as resources. Addiction may not be such a bad thing after all.”

VOTE!...but for who?

So as most of us know, Election Day is quickly approaching. We have all seen the advertisements for Obama and McCain, but my public relations side (my major) couldn’t help but think about these advertisements.

Times have changed…so it is time for a new campaigning strategy for Presidential candidates. You would think Obama would catch this because he wants you to vote for change (that was my stupid joke trying to make this blog funny). But in all seriousness, why not use more internet advertisements? Computer Mediated Communication works with a myriad of subjects, so why not the upcoming elections, and the ones in the future.

Recently, a main demographic for Presidential candidates is people between the ages of 18 and approximately 25. But, where is place to reach this age group? I think we all know this answer…facebook. We all have seen the little side advertisements, or gotten invitations to groups, so I think an effective way to reach young people is through these mediums. I have seen a few things here and there about voting…but not about a specific candidate.

On facebook, above the advertisements, a hyperlink gives a person all the information they could possibly want for advertising on facebook. There is pricing, sections for targeting certain demographics, content integration and etcetera. This is the perfect opportunity to get a Presidential candidates name out there to a certain key audience.

Overall, television commercials work for Presidential candidates for a certain crowd, but to reach a younger age group, a more planned advertising effort must come into play. And that is as simple as clicking a hyperlink!

Deadly Texting

Last month, one of the worst railroad crashes in U.S history that killed 25 people is under speculation. It has been said that the conductor crashed the train because he was receiving and responding to text messages. According to msnbc.com’s article, "Americans still texting dangerously," people text during dangerous situations despite the risk. According to a survey released last Tuesday, 77% of American’s have texted while driving a moving vehicle.

Furthermore, the survey found that 41% of Americans have texted while skiing, horseback riding, and bicycle riding. If this isn’t Computer Mediated Communication taking over our lives, I don’t know what is. Surveys have also found that half of teenagers frequently text while they are driving.

In February of this year, NBC investigated the dangers of teenagers texting while driving. Ashley Freitas, from Waterbury, was tested by driving around cones with and without texting. Without texting, she did fine, but when she opened her phone, she completely missed one cone. To further the inspection, a police officer was tested and narrowly missed 2 cars and did not see a pedestrian.

There has been much talk about banning cell phone use in vehicles, but like every other law, it is going to be broken. I am guilty of texting while I am driving. I have never narrowly missed hitting something, or completely missed a stop sign, but who is to say that I won’t in the future. The texting aspect of CMC can be a fun thing to do during a non moving activity, but it is a seriously dangerous hobby while driving a train!

It's Time for a Change

Are you interested in changing the world but feel too small to make any difference? Are you passionate about global warming, genocide, immigration, or other political issues? Well, now is the time to make change.

So, you are probably reading this and wondering, “What does this have to do with electronic communication or CMC?” Then why don’t you take a look at change.org and see how you can make a difference.

Change.org’s managing editor Josh Levy, states that the blog is a place where people can read about the latest news and has tools for taking action about 13 issues that we face today. The 13 causes include global warming, animal rights, women’s rights, gay rights, social entrepreneurship, human rights, immigration, genocide, humanitarian relief, homelessness, fair trade, criminal justice, and peace in the Middle East. "People want to do stuff, but how do you make it easy and fun and connected to their life? This is an attempt to solve that," says Levy.

Because of this computer mediated communication, people are able to make a difference in causes that they believe in. The site teaches people how to give in smaller gifts, and some people have even called this a political space online. The article written on msnbc.com, Blogging like the World Depended on It states yes, that change.org speaks loudly to the appeal of Senator Barack Obama. The site right now deals a lot with a liberal perspective on causes and issues, but the creators of change.org hope to see multiple perspectives in the future.

Finding Happiness Online

More men then women find happiness online.

This is an article, found on msnbc.com, focuses on the results of an Australian pole of what makes men and women happy. It is human nature that men and women do not find the same things appealing, and according to this article, the internet makes men more happy then women.

The pole, called the “Happiness Index,” polled more than 8,500 Australians, ranging from age 18 to 64. According to the pole, most men and women found relaxation an enjoyable activity, and physical exercise less enjoyable. The pole also found that Australians find enjoyment on week-to-week basis, rather than possessions and achievements. They also find enjoyments from entertaining experiences and meaningful interactions with other people.

This leads to the online aspect of the happiness of men and women. Over half of the men poled stated that they find relaxation from surfing the web, playing online games, and using social networking sites such as facebook. Only 39% of women found happiness and relaxation in the internet. On the other hand, more than half of the women said they found happiness in having meals and spending time with their family.

An interesting aspect about this pole is that it debunked some of the stereotypes of men and women. It found that only 30% of women found happiness shopping online for clothes and shoes.

As discussed on the first day of class, 60 million Americans have used the internet to help them with something major in their life. This statistic and the article previously discussed displays how much people rely on the internet. If it is just a relaxing hobby, or making a major life decision, the internet plays a major role in people’s lives.

Facebook Narcissists?

I searched online for a topic to blog about because I am already out of ideas for this class…or maybe I’m just not creative enough. But, on msnbc.com, under the technology tab, I saw the title, Can You Spot the Facebook Narcissist At first I was confused. How could someone on Facebook be a narcissist through Facebook? So naturally, I read on.

Researchers at the University of Georgia studied Facebook users by a personality questionnaire. They compared the results to the user’s profile, as well as using untrained observers to look at the profiles and rate how narcissistic or egotistical the users were.

Results were that the number of friends and wall posts that a persona had correlated with how narcissistic they were. Also, people who were titled at narcissistic had glamorous or self-promoting pictures of themselves as their profile pictures. The article also states that the other users used snapshots as their profile pictures, which I assume are pictures of them and their friends just having fun.

Keep in mind that this article does state that not all Facebook users are narcissists, but these narcissists use Facebook the same way they use their other relationships, for self-promotion. They view their friends in quantity and not quality. The more friends they have, the better off they are, and more people see them online.

But, between you me and this blog, I think this article is stupid. Yes, maybe some people use their Facebook profile pictures to make themselves look better, but I can’t think of a single person that can be characterized as a Facebook narcissist. According the DeVito’s Message textbook, in chapter 10, people want to have many friends on Facebook because interacting with people online lessens their loneliness. So there is nothing wrong with having a lot friends on Facebook (I have about 660!) and having a flattering picture of yourself as your profile picture. Besides everyone wants to look pretty and have a lot of friends.

The Facebook Conversation

“Oh my God, I saw that on facebook.” “Oh yeah, I saw those pics.” “He asked me to be his friend and I was like, ‘I don’t even know you!’ so I hit deny.” “I posted about that on your wall.”

I heard this conversation all Friday night, and I could think about was this class. It is somewhat weird that I thought of electronic communication on a Friday night, but I guess that’s what this class is doing to me. I was in Latrobe, PA at my friend’s house, sitting around a campfire. I was there with my friends from school, but my friend had her friends from home visiting as well. I know that my friends and I talk about facebook sometimes, but with these girls, facebook came out of their mouths in almost every sentence. They talked about vacations and all of the girls saw the pictures on facebook. They talked about posting on each other’s walls, what they posted on other people’s walls, what other people posted on other people’s walls. I felt like the facebook conversation was never going to end.

As we discussed in class, facebook, as well as CMC in general, has its pros and cons. For example with this group of friends, they are able to stay in contact with each other with facebook. However, if we look into this deeper, is looking at your friends pictures really contact? Yes, you know what they are up to and who they hang out with, but I think this is a shallow definition of contact.

I hope that you don’t think I am writing this blog and thinking that I think I am a great communicator and stay in close face to face contact with my friends, because I definitely don’t. Once I get together with my friends, we try not to focus our discussions on facebook and talk about issues that are too personal to talk about online. Maybe it is time that we all stop talking about facebook and let go of the facebook conversation.

The Facebook Song

One boring night this past summer, I was searching videos on you tube…I know, I’m so cool. But, I came across a couple videos of these guys named Rhett and Link. I watched some videos on you tube and noticed a rhettandlink.com in the corner, so naturally I typed in their web address…and then I found the facebook song.

These two men, who I presume are in their late twenties, possibly married, make videos for their website and you tube for a living. One of the most famous videos is the facebook song, which is primarily about the anti-social aspects of online networking. The chorus consists of the line “Facebook, facebook, facebook, I’m hooked on Facebook.” I think this main chorus portrays many attitudes of facebookers. They are simply hooked. This can relate back to the electronic fast a few weeks ago in that most of the class realized they were hooked on facebook, and I’ll admit that I am hooked as well.

The rest of the song is mainly about two average men that live their lives on facebook. The song goes over every aspect of facebook, from friend requests, to photos, to groups, each with comedic clips and lyrics. A main part that I noticed is lyrics about before facebook, friendship was tough, and we actually had to be in people’s presence. This just sticks out to me because there are people that feel like this. Occasionally, I don’t want to say something to someone’s face, so I text them or IM them. It is just easier than talking to someone to his or her face.

The song goes on to what would happen if a server was down or facebook was deleted. Rhett and Link make it humorous by saying they would go outside with a picture of themselves and a sheet of info and stand on the street, but I can’t imagine what it would be like without social networking. The social networking world, as well as all electronic communication, has become the backbone of society. People depend on it for everything. From just plain communication, shopping, advertising, scheduling, to even relationships.

I can't really tell if Rhett and Link are just making a funny video about facebook, or if they are actually telling us a message. A message that implies that facebook is taking over our social skills or that we can't rely on it too much because who knows when it won't be here anymore. But I have to admit that after watching this video, I checked my facebook, and added Rhett and Link as friends.

To watch the video, go to rhettandlink.com and hoover over the pictures next to the video screen and click on the facebook song tab. Tell me what you think.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

This week in class, we watched "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the first thing I noticed was Giles calling the computer an "idiot box." Following that statement a guy said, "If you're not jacked, you're not alive." I think that these two statements show the mentality of a lot of Americans as computers were becoming popular. Some people didn't accept computers...and that is possibly because they either didn't know how to work them, or they knew that they could cause problems some day.

I think that the writers of this show took the ladder statement. I believe that it was a warning about what computers can do to people. Yes, it was very overdone and the idea of a demon from a book entering the internet is completely ridiculous, but it is the larger picture that needs to be taken into consideration. A larger picture that as a society, we can not rely on computers for everything. Computers can contract viruses and delete everything..and for the people that rely on computers for everything...well, we know what happens.

During the Buffy episode, Giles talks about his love and passion for books. He speaks of their smell and I personally agree with him. We need to keep our information in writing. I think that I would like to thank Dee Natale for that point of view. She always told us in Journalism to read the newspaper and she expressed her concerns about the internet and computers taking over our lives.

Back to Buffy...I can't believe that the episode was made in 1997 and computers were already so big. It was also interesting to see the old technology that people used then. Social networking wasn't popular yet, but email was booming. And to think that the producers were possibly already warning us about the dangers of the computer before the idea of sexual predators on the internet.

And now, it's back to the VMAs...